Childminder Information

What is a childminder?

A Childminder cares for a small group of children of mixed ages in the childminder’s own home. Children are welcomed as individuals, they are offered affection and respect and their developmental and recreational needs are met. Childminders offer a flexible service, tailored to each child, thereby helping parents and guardians to balance their work and family commitments. A Childminder negotiates and agrees her/his terms with parents. The child’s welfare must be the prime consideration of the Childminder. Childminders have sole responsibility for the health, safety and wellbeing of each child entrusted to their care.

Are you thinking of becoming a childminder? If so please see resources below

A Guide to becoming a Childminder

Information for Childminders on the National Action Plan for Childminding

Guidelines on Planning a Childminding Business in your own home

Childminding Sample Policies and Procedures

Childminding Sample Record Keeping Forms

Information for Parents on the National Childminding Action Plan

Guidance for Childminders: https://www.laoischildcare.ie/2022/02/16/guidance-for-childminders-understanding-childrens-behaviour/

CMDG 2025 is now OPEN!

The Childminding Development Grant (CMDG) is a small capital grant designed to assist existing and potential childminders to enhance safety and quality in their childminding service.

The CMDG is open to any childminder who singlehandedly cares for non-relative child/ren in the childminder’s own home. Potential childminders can apply for the grant if they intend to commence childminding in their own home by 1 September 2025. Those who care for children in the child’s home (nannies/au pairs) or parents who employ a person to mind their children at their home are not eligible to apply. Those who care only for close relatives are also not eligible to apply.

For more information please see documents below

CMDG-2025-applicant-guidelines

CMDG 2025 Application Form

CMDG FAQ’s

Pre-Registration Training

CALLING ALL CHILDMINDERS

Are you a childminder or interested in becoming a childminder in Co. Laois

Networking Coming Soon

Would you like to get involved in a local Childminding Network that will provide a forum for peer support, sharing experiences and knowledge and access to relevant information on the National Childminding Action Plan (2021-2028) and much more…

Training for Childminders

Please find links below to contacts and resources for training.

Quality and Regulatory Framework eLearning Programme: https://www.tusla.ie/services/preschool-services/early-years-quality-and-regulatory-framework/quality-and-regulatory-framework-elearning-programme/
Children First Training: https://www.tusla.ie/children-first/children-first-e-learning-programme/
Continuing professional development resources for practitioners: https://first5.gov.ie/practitioners/continuing-professional-development
Training Courses from Childminding Ireland https://www.childminding.ie/cmi-training-courses/
Child in Mind Training Programme https://www.earlychildhoodireland.ie/child-mind-training-programme-now-live/

Download the Childminder Newsletter here: NAPC Spring Newsletter 2024 Final

Grants and funding available

Are you already childminding or interested in minding children in your own home?

Are you a parent interested in choosing a childminder?

Come along and find out more about childminding and the National Action Plan for Childminding.

Laois County Childcare will be visiting libraries in towns throughout Laois over the coming weeks.

Laois County Childcare – Free Resource Pack for Childminders

Laois County Childcare Committee have a limited number of Free Resource Packs for Childminders in County Laois to promote positive play-based early learning.

In order to avail of this FREE resource pack, Childminders must meet the criteria stated below:

1. Be currently providing a childminding service in Laois
2. Have valid (in date) childminding insurance
3. Have completed the Tusla Children First Training: https://www.tusla.ie/children-first/children-first-e-learning-programme/
4. Have completed some CPD from First Five https://first5.gov.ie/practitioners/continuing-professional-development ORComplete the Quality and Regulatory Framework eLearning Programme: https://www.tusla.ie/services/preschool-services/early-years-quality-and-regulatory-framework/quality-and-regulatory-framework-elearning-programme/

Latest news, information and upcoming events for Childminders

National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028

The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, launched the National Action Plan for Childminding on 15th April 2021. The National Action Plan aims to improve access to high quality and affordable early learning and care and school-age childcare through childminding, and sets out a phased approach to bringing childminders within the scope of State-funded supports and regulation over the period 2021-2028.

The National Action Plan for Childminding is a pathway to be developed over the next 8 years that sets out steps towards regulation, support and subsidies, for all paid, non-relative childminders. The Action Plan will involve change and significant benefits for childminders, children and the families using their services.

The aim of the Action Plan is to provide greater recognition for childminding and to support childminders in their work of providing high quality early learning and care and school age childcare, thus supporting child development and learning outcomes and helping families.

To download a copy of the Action plan please click here: National Action Plan for Childminding

View the Pathway for the Action plan here: Pathway of the Action Plan

For More information on the National Action Plan for Childminding please visit https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/df207-national-action-plan-for-childminding-2021-2028/